Kimkim Trip Reviews for Finland

Let me begin with Emerson. The first night we were in Helsinki, getting ready to fly to Kittila the next day, when we received the info that the flight had been cancelled due to the weather (-35 degrees...). Emerson jumped into action and communicated with me throughout the night, rescheduled our flights to Oulu where a bus then took us to Kittila. He also reached out to the Northern Lights Ranch, where we were expected, to notify them of our delay and to arrange for food to be available to us when we arrived late at night at our cabin. He also cancelled our aurora tours and rescheduled it for the day after. In a sentence: we were facing a potential major hiccup with our trip, and Emerson took charge, and solved every single issue. I was greatly impressed and very grateful.

Now on to the trip. Magnificent, unforgettable, spectacular. The first night in Kittila we took the aurora tour that Emerson had rescheduled with Lazy Santa Safaris (guided by Lauri), and it was absolutely stunning. Lauri drove us to the bank of a huge frozen river and we then walked through the snow and onto the river. In the middle of the darkness we were treated to an absolutely unbelievable natural show. We have some amazing pictures that will forever remind us of that night. Early that morning we also had a wonderful snowmobile tour, also with Lazy Santa. Driving the snowmobiles was a lot of fun and we were provided with suitable clothing to protect us from the incredible cold.

We also had a splendid experience with Bearhill Huskies Tours. Wow...driving the sled with those dogs was another splendid adventure. The symbiotic relation between humans and dogs was quite moving, and I will personally always remember that. Lots of fun as well at the Reindeer Farm, where we were taken around by those gentle animals. A beautiful experience;

Accomodations: The Northern Lights Ranch is an experience not to be missed. The rooms with glass ceilings, the wonderful restaurant, and the reindeers feeding experience, all conjured to give us two wonderful nights. We are planning to go back in the summer and experience a different aspect of Finland. The Arctic Hotel in Ravaniemi (sp?) was also very good. Outstanding service and great location, that allowed us to tour the very nice city of Ravaniemi (and the Santa Village). Finally the Ice Hotel...not for the faint of heart. It is an experience I am happy we did, but the night in the ice-cold rooms is definitely something that maybe you don't want to repeat :). The sauna at the hotel, on the other hand, is a must-do, with the three steps: hot sauna, ice-cave sauna, and then hot tub. My kids and I really enjoyed that.

In conclusion, I think the travel was perfectly organized, with every supplier well chosen, and everything worked like clockwork. We also had two nights at the Fabian Hotel in Helsinki, a beautiful city that is definitely work visiting. We had two lovely dinners there, including one at the Finland Caviar Shop and Restaurant, that we recommend heartily as a great conclusion.

I would definitely consider using KimKim again for my travels. We were completely satisfied and impressed.

Hotel Review

Northern Lights Ranch

Köngäs

The Northern Lights Ranch was a spectacular location. The room with the window on the ceiling made the experience even more special. Watching the Northern Lights from this room was an unforgettable experience. The location was beautiful and it truly added to the magic of seeing such a natural wonder.

Activity Review

Adults Only Husky Adventure

Finland

The Adults Only Husky Adventure was incredibly touching and fascinating. The symbiosis between the animals and humans was remarkable, and it was an amazing experience to witness the dogs thriving on the icy tracks. The organizers did a fantastic job ensuring everything was well-coordinated, and the warm clothing provided kept us comfortable even in the extreme cold.

Emerson is the best travel agent I could ever have asked for. He truly listened to what we wanted and turned it into the trip of a lifetime. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, seamless, and exceeded our expectations. His expertise, responsiveness, and genuine care made the entire experience stress-free and unforgettable. I will only work with Emerson going forward and we’re already planning our next trip with him!

We had an absolutely wonderful time in Finland, everything was planned perfectly by Moonika! We loved staying at the wilderness resort, where all meals were included: a buffet breakfast and lunch, followed by a delicious three-course dinner each evening. The glass ceiling was incredible, looking up at the sky through the glass was such a fun and unique experience, and the hut was so cozy.

We also stayed at the Scandic Pohjanhovi in the city, which was a perfect stay as well, with a great breakfast buffet included. Every activity was enjoyable, and we truly loved the entire experience. We did so much, including a reindeer sleigh ride, dog sledding, a Northern Lights tour, a photoshoot at Santa’s Village, and a full day at Santa Park.

Emilia was our photographer and did an amazing job—she was wonderful with our kids and captured beautiful family photos. Nico went above and beyond searching for the Northern Lights, and even though we didn’t see them, the experience was still fun and memorable. All transportation was private, the drivers were punctual and excellent, and everything ran smoothly. We didn't have to worry about anything! Moonika truly put together a seamless and unforgettable vacation for us.

Hotel Review

Vaattunki Wilderness Resort

Rovaniemi

The Wilderness Resort was truly fantastic. The glass roof igloos were a standout feature, allowing us to gaze at the stars in comfort. It was an unforgettable experience, and my kids absolutely loved it.

Activity Reviews

Husky Tour With Musher (5km)

Finland

The Husky Tour was amazing. Our guide was fantastic and made the experience really special. The highlight was when we emerged from the forest onto a frozen lake — it felt magical and my daughter thought it was the coolest part of the entire ride.

SantaPark VEP Experience

Rovaniemi

The SantaPark VEP Experience was a highlight of our trip. Being indoors meant we didn't have to bundle up as much, which was a relief. My kids loved the shows, and they were so entertaining we ended up watching them twice. The craft activities and cookie-making were also a big hit!

If you’re thinking about going to Finland, I think you should go, and if you’re thinking about using KimKim / MonMon Travel, I think you should! I worked with Emerson & Lilla and they planned a great winter trip for my family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids ages 16, 13, and 11). They really handled organizing every step of the way (before and during the trip) and picked the best hotels, best companies / tour operators / tours, etc. They planned a better trip for my family than I could have planned alone, and it saved me a lot of time / headache to work with them to plan the trip. We spent one day in Munich on the way home and I joked to my family that I missed Lilla already. The biggest compliment I can give is that I will recommend Finland / KimKim / MonMon to my friends in real life.

Hotel Reviews

Home Hotel Jugend

Helsinki

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Northern Lights Ranch

Köngäs

Loved this hotel / glass cabin. We loved the whole trip but if forced to pick we all liked Northern Lights Ranch / Levi the best - quiet, snow, stars, etc.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Train

I am glad we did it & I would take the overnight train to Lapland again. It was easy and an interesting travel experience for my kids. They never took an overnight train before!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Fabian

Helsinki

I would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Aurora Ice Floating

Finland

Everyone thought this was a fun, interesting activity. In the end, my 11 year old daughter didn’t want to put the suit on and go in, and I didn’t force her to & it was no problem for her to stay in the kota while we did it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Reindeer Sleigh Ride to Ice Fishing

Rovaniemi

My 13 year old son caught one fish and the guide caught one fish but ice fishing was up there on my husband and 13 year old son’s top activities of the trip. They really liked being out on the ice with the guides and my 13 year old really liked grilling sausages on the fire out there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

New Years Party at the SnowHotel

Rovaniemi

It turns out my family is not really in New Year’s parties. If your family wants to attend a party, I think this would be fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Family Husky Safari

Finland

I’m really rating a different experience to be 4 stars and I would probably rate the kennel experience listed here as 5 stars if I had gone. Due to weather, our originally booked experience was changed and we were given the option to go with the change or cancel for a refund. Due to weather and being tired from New Year’s the night before, we opted to cancel our trip to the kennel since given the option and then at the last minute, Lilla helped us organize a shorter husky ride at Santa’s Husky Rides - the kennel’s satellite location in Santa Claus Village (at this moment I loved Lilla - they wouldn’t let me book a guaranteed time slot myself but said I could walk in, but I thought to ask Lilla if she could get them to give me a time slot and she did and arranged our transportation to / from!). I think we would have liked to go out to the kennel (and you should do it if you can!) but if you can’t - I was very thankful for Lilla’s last minute help to book the shorter ride so we could still get a taste of it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Luxury Log Sauna and Finnish Dinner Experience

Rovaniemi

We all enjoyed this - great food and fun sauna experience and interesting to be in a Finnish family’s home . My 16 year old son rated this as his favorite activity of the trip!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure

Levi

I always ask everyone in my family to tell me their favorite thing we did on the trip. My 11 year old daughter and I picked the snowmobile trip! None of us had ever been snowmobiling before and it was a fun and beautiful adventure. The latest my 13 year old son has said is that he liked so much he can’t pick a favorite thing, but he had listed the snowmobile trip up there as a possibility when asked earlier :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aurora Tour by Van

Levi

If you really want to try your best to see the Northern Lights, I recommend that you do this tour in Levi.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helsinki and Suomenlinna Private Tour

Helsinki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bucket list trip to see the Northern Lights was amazing with Eemil. We tracked this elusive spectacle for two nights and were able to see and photograph them briefly both nights. Reindeer Sleigh rides, Husky Sledding, Snowmobiling and Snowshoeing were also a blast! Bitter cold though at 19F below the normal cold (-21F on the coldest day) so rented clothes really helped!
Great family trip to a cute ski town!

Hotel Review

Break Sokos Hotel Levi

Levi

Nice large room and bathroom and great breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walkable to ski slope and restaurants and shops

Staff

Helpful for any needs

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Reindeer Adventure

Levi

Being able to feed the Reindeer and walk among them was super cool. The sleigh rides was nice but super short.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides gave us the basics on how to behave near the animals and were a bit more personable at the end in the cabin but not really interactive or informative

Transport

Small van

The guide in Tallinn was exceptional!! University history professor named Jonas. Very knowledgeable and friendly. The highlight of the day trip without a doubt!!
Overall trip planning was excellent!! Suggested activities were terrific!!
Only comment would be with the selection of the Hotel Lilla Roberts. Our room was 5 sets of stairs plus an open courtyard from the main desk. This was difficult for us being in our 70’s.
Would do it all over again with more time in Levi and Rovaniemi. The day trip to Tallinn was a highlight of the trip. As was the Levi hotel and the ice floating in Rovaniemi with the northern lights visible.
Overall the people in Lapland were more friendly than Helsinki. Although we had a cab driver there who lifted our spirits the last day we were there. Friendly, honest and helpful!!!

Moonika was wonderful to work with in planning a family trip for 10 to Finnish Lapland. She was so responsive through the process and during our trip. We packed so much into our days: overnight Santa Express from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Santa’s village, a magical reindeer ride, ice fishing, snowmobiling, husky dog sledding (everybody’s favorite!)…and on our last night in the Arctic Snow Hotel the northern lights put on a nice display! The most impressive thing about having Moonika’a help was the pre-scheduling of larger vehicle transportation for our group to every activity. No hitches along the way, and detailed, stress free planning made this such a delightful vacation!

My trip was very well organized. Everything like taxi, outdoor activities and hotel was planned perfectly. Lilla was very responsive and flexible to my requests. I am very happy with the trip and would like to reach out again for my next trip.

We had such a great experience with KimKim. We started planning with Moonika and met Lilla. a little later on and they were both fantastic. Lilla took the time to greet us at the airport which was very thoughtful. We had a few bumps in the road because of weather and Lilla was very communicative, even on the weekend outside of business hours, and helped us adjust as needed. The companies they booked our tours with were also great with kind and knowledgeable staff and both accommodations were wonderful as well. We were warned ahead of time about this time of year being a shoulder season which we definitely experienced but it did not take away from our trip at all. The trip was everything we had hoped for and we can’t wait to go back

Hotel Reviews

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. We had some noisy upstairs neighbors and when we called at 130 in the morning the problem was handled right away. Great sized rooms and amenities

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly and professional

Cleanliness & Comfort

Apukka Resort

Rovaniemi

Great activities and amenities. Food on property is overpriced but other than that it’s a great property

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Snowmobile Safari Into the Wilderness

Apukka

Even though a lot of the snow had melted this was a very fun activity

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Knowing that all of the major things were taken care of was a huge relief. I wanted someone to coordinate transportation and accommodations for me, as those are generally what are the most stressful for me to figure out. I talked to Moonika and told her what I was looking for plus some of my concerns for traveling. She coordinated all of the overnight stays and transportation necessary and made sure I had the information I needed to get there. Accommodations were exactly what I was looking for, and drivers were professional.

My trip to Finland was truly unforgettable. I am extremely satisfied with the entire experience, and I could not be happier with how everything turned out especially the extraordinary moment of witnessing the Northern Lights. Seeing the aurora dance across the sky was a breathtaking, almost surreal experience that exceeded every expectation I had. It was the absolute highlight of my journey.

The organization of the trip was also excellent from start to finish. Every detail from transportation to excursions was handled smoothly and professionally. The itinerary was well planned, efficient, and thoughtfully paced, allowing me to enjoy each moment without feeling rushed. I felt supported and well-guided throughout the entire experience.

Overall, this trip to Finland was exceptionally memorable, and I am grateful for the remarkable service and seamless coordination that made it so special. I highly recommend this destination and this level of organization to anyone looking for a truly magical travel experience.

It was great to work with Emerson. He was very aware of our likes/dislikes and developed an amazing experience for us. We always felt that he was as available if needed, he was very responsive. We felt that there was always someone out there looking out for us during the whole trip.
Our trip was quite long (30 days), involving many hotels, tours, rental cars, and train reservations. Emerson planned everything perfectly and our trip went smoothly due to his care and thoughtfulness.
Emerson was the perfect travel planner!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Lilla Roberts

Helsinki

Excellent location and beautiful suite with a small view of the water and park. The luxurious surroundings were comfortable and the suite was beautifully decorated with amenities. Our room had a lot of character with beautiful architectural details. We ate at the restaurant and the service and food were very good.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful architecture and character.

Location

Close to center of town, with many shops, restaurants, and sights. Close to everything.

Staff

Staff were very helpful (both hotel and restaurant).

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beautiful room and with a sitting area and dining table. The suite included amenities like Nespresso coffeemaker.

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

Rovaniemi

A unique experience with a beautiful view. It felt like we were sleeping in the forest; a truly treehouse experience. Beautiful, modern decor and amenities. This was the smallest property we stayed at, but the room included a small sitting area. Our stay here was all about the view! Sleeping among the trees was amazing! We also ate at the restaurant and the service and food were outstanding.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel delivers 100% on the treehouse xperience with luxurious surroundings and view.

Location

Located away from town, but across Santa Village. The main attraction is the experience of feeling that you are in a tree house and sleeping among the trees. A once in a lifetime experience.

Staff

Staff were responsive and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms are small, but it is all about the view!!! There is a small sitting area were we could relax. The decor was beautiful and the bed very comfortable.

Iisakki Village

Ruka

We had a two bedroom villa and it was very spacious and comfortable. Modern decor and lots of amenities, including full kitchen and laundry machine (which was helpful as we had a long trip and it was convenient to do laundry during our stay). The villa also has a sauna which was nice to use, as it was private and convenient. The location of our villa was close to a lake. Beautiful surroundings. Breakfast was simple but adequate. The only minor negative was that we stayed outside the main season and the restaurant was not open for dinner. Because of the location, we needed to drive to find places to eat.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful woodsy location, providing an authentic forest experience.

Location

The location was beautiful if you want to be in the woods and experience the forest. We hiked from the property and it was very enjoyable.; we felt that we could get lost in the woods! The only minor negative was that because of the location and the closed restaurant during our stay (out of season in October), we needed to drive to eat dinner. But at the same time, the location offers a restful and peaceful stay.

Staff

Staff were helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa was simply decorated with all amenities needed, including separate bedroom, full kitchen, living room, sauna, and laundry facilities.

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

The hotel and our suite room were beautiful. Nice decor modern decor, friendly staff, great amenities, and great breakfasts! Location was in the center of town with access to many shops and restaurants. We ate at the hotel restaurant and the food was amazing!

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully decorated and many amenities in our suite. Comfortable surroundings and roomy, with a sitting area.

Location

Center of town, close to river, shops, and restaurants.

Staff

Very friendly and helpful. Always greeted us with smiles and helpful if we needed anything.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfortable suite with sitting area and many amenities. Very nice decor.

Park Hotel Turku

Turku

The hotel was authentic and beautiful surroundings (across a park), but location was a bit far from the river area where most restaurants are located. Also, decor was a bit tired and the room didn’t have many amenities.

Authenticity & Character

It has character but decor was outdated.

Location

Would have liked a better location closer to the river

Staff

Staff were helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room didn’t have many amenities. Furniture and decor was outdated.

Hotel Haven

Helsinki

This was our first hotel in Finland and it was a dream. We loved the room, the breakfast, and the experiences we had at the bar. Staff were also very friendly. The view of our room was amazing and will recommend wholeheartedly for anyone who wants to have an amazing experience in Helsinki. Our room had a view of the water and the hotel was close to all the attractions. A five star experience…

Authenticity & Character

A great place to introduce us to Finland/Helsinki. The breakfast were delicious and they included many Finnish delicacies.

Location

Walking distance to shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Staff

Always greeted us with a smile and always willing to help, if needed.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The suite was amazing, roomy, beautifully decorated, comfortable with a sitting area, and the best view of the water.

Activity Reviews

Korouoma Canyon Wilderness Hike

Rovaniemi

We love this tour as it allowed us to be active an hike in the wilderness. The guide, Juhu, was excellent. We had great conversation throughout the hike, and enjoyed sausages around the fire during the hike. Juhu, our guide communicated with us before the tour to advise us on what to wear for the hike, as weather was rainy. We were ready for the weather and thoroughly enjoyed the hike despite the weather.

Quality of Experience

Juhu was knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information about the canyon and the forest. We were never rushed and enjoyed the beautiful hike. Sharing stories with each other.

Food

We shared sausages, with Juhu around a fire. The food was great and provided an authentic experience in the forest.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juhu was a great guide. He provided a lot of useful information, while leading us through the hike. We highly recommend Juhu as a guide for this experience.

Transport

Very comfortable transport and convenient pickup from hotel.

Finnish Legends and Stories Around the Fire

Rovaniemi

This was a nice tour to learn about Finnish culture and legends. The tour met in downtown Rovaniemi, a short walk from our hotel. We were two couples in this experience. Because we were with another couple, we didn’t get to interact as much with the guides and get to know each other as with other private tours.

Quality of Experience

Because the weather was cloudy and rainy, we didn’t see the northern lights, but we still enjoyed the experience around the fire.

Food

Snacks (pancakes and jam) around the fire, were enjoyable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable guides.

Transport

Transport from town to tour location was good.

Private Husky Visit & Cart-Ride in Autumn

Rovaniemi

This was an excellent tour, filled with excitement, joy, and warmth. Instead of a cart ride we opted for a hike with the huskies. What an experience in such beautiful setting. We got to know the huskies one by one in the kennel, and then we had an exhilarating hike with four of the huskies; the two of us and the couple who owns the farm. Our hosts were Antti and Aksana. Their welcoming and warm demeanor made our tour extraordinary!

Quality of Experience

This was an amazing experience. After our hike, we had snacks around the fire (homemade mustia pie and warm tea). We were blown away by their hospitality and authenticity. Of course we also loved the dogs!!!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antii and Aksana were amazing guides/hosts and provided us with an unforgettable experience with their huskies.

Transport

Antti picked us up at the hotel to take us to the farm, which was very convenient.

Private Dinner in a Glass Igloo Under Northern Lights

Rovaniemi

The experience was awesome, despite the bad weather. Unfortunately we were not able to see the Northern lights, as it was cloudy and rainy. But the meal was excellent and authentic, and the tour was very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Beautiful location for a private dinner with authentic food prepared by the hosts.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

In addition to dinner, we had a tour of the forest thank you to Vadymir and the other hosts for the amazing tour and meal. It wwould have been even more amazing if we have seen the lights, but weather can’t be controlled. We still had a great time and enjoyed the delicious authentic dining experience.

Transport

Very convenient meeting at our hotel and very comfortable transport.

Private Reindeer Farm Visit

Rovaniemi

Enjoyed the authenticity of the tour. We learned a lot about the reindeers and the life of a reindeer farmer.

Quality of Experience

Authentic experience. Enjoyed our time learning about the reindeer farm.

Food

Great authentic snack prepared as part of the tour by the farm owner.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juho and the farm owner were excellent in allowing us to have an authentic experience.

Transport

Excellent/comfortable transportation to the farm. The meeting location was also very convenient; across the street from our hotel. The tour guide also provided boots for us to ebable us to fully enjoy the farm without being worried about our shoes.

Tallinn Day Trip

Helsinki

We were very happy to add the day trip to Tallinn to our itinerary. Highly recommend to visit the beautiful old city and learn about its history. We took the ferry and had a great private tour of the city when we arrived. We were also lucky to meet our travel planner (Emerson) who lives in Estonia. After meeting with Emerson for a quick snack/lunch we had a private tour of the city. The guide (Christopher) was very knowledgeable and we learn a lot about Tallinn and its history.

Quality of Experience

It was a perfect day! Easy/convenient transport to Tallinn. We appreciated being able to meet our trip planner, Emerson. And the tour of the city was just perfect in terms of learning and allowing us some free time at the end to explore.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Christopher was very knowledgeable and we felt that we learned a lot during the half day tour.

Transport

We enjoyed taking the ferry/ cruise. The experience was unique and we enjoyed the time spent on the ship. The ship was very comfortable with plenty of areas to relax.

Private Tour of Finland's Nuuskio National Park

Helsinki

Amazing private tour with Jeff. The guide was very personable, we got to know a lot about the forest and we interacted a lot during the hike to get to know each other. The tour included a wonderful stew prepared by Jeff, including mushrooms that we gathered during our hike.m! This is a must to do!

Quality of Experience

An authentic hike and meal prepared by the guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jeff was an amazing personable guide. We learned a lot about the forest, and appreciated his teachings about what to pick in the forest, especially ligonberries and bilberries. We appreciated the excellent meal he prepared for us. A memorable experience that we will never forget.

Transport

It was very convenient to meet at the hotel. Very comfortable transportation.

Private Food Tour of Helsinki's Culinary Highlights

Helsinki

Excellent guide (Jolentha). The private tour was perfect to experience the culinary delicacies of Finland. We learned a lot and the experience enhanced our overall culinary experiences during the rest of our trip. Very authentic and enjoyable experience. The Guide selected authentic experiences.

Quality of Experience

Authentic locations to enjoy Finnish delicacies and get to know more about the culture.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amazing guide (Jolentha) providing an authentic experience. The guide was very friendly, asked us a lot of questions to get to know us, which added to the positive experience.

Transport

It was very convenient to meet at our hotel.

Helsinki and Suomenlinna Private Tour

Helsinki

Excellent private tour to give you a sense of the city and the significance of Suomenlinna Island. Perfect tour to do at the start of the trip. The guides were excellent and covered a lot of information in relatively short amount of time (as we requested). We wanted a shorter tour for both the city and the island and this tour was perfect .

Quality of Experience

Excellent guides (Katia and Veera)

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent knowledge and interaction. This was a private tour, which allowed to ask questions and learn about the things that interested us the most. The guides were also very flexible and asked us questions to learn more about our interests.

Transport

Meeting at the hotel was very convenient.

Lilla did a wonderful job providing guidance along the way. She was genuinely invested in making certain things went well. Some tours were beyond expectations (bog shoeing in Estonia, hiking in Pyhajarvi, rafting in Rovaniemi, sauna tour in Helsinki) others were not what we had hoped. Overall we achieved our objective, having an active vacation and getting to know Finland.

Hotel Reviews

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Staff, location, room, and food were all best of your.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kurula's Resort

Pyhätunturi

Restaurant was not open. Nearest food was a two mile walk away. Unreliable taxi service.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Clerk provided us breakfast items from local store. Not great food, but we didn’t starve.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gorgeous room

Overnight Train

A wonderful experience and comfortable nights sleep.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cru Hotel

Tallinn

Excellent location. Restaurant was wonderful and staff was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Home Hotel Jugend

Helsinki

They charged 20 Euros for early check in. Rooms were quite small for two travelers.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Korouoma Canyon & Auttiköngäs Waterfalls Adventure

Rovaniemi

Guides were very personable and knowledgeable of the area. It was a long drive and a relatively short hike but the nature and conversation made up for this. Cooking sausages over the fire was a bonus.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Too long

Fatbike Trip (Day or Night)

Rovaniemi

Cold, rainy weather did not stop the tour, thank goodness. Views were limited and our snack was a cold quick one, but what can you do? Guide was very patient and provided us a wonderful experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Finland

Driver did everything possible to find lights. Unfortunately they were a no show.

Quality of Experience

No lights, long night of driving

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rafting Behind the Arctic Circle

Rovaniemi

Again, weather wasn’t great, but we made the most of our experience. Guide was very knowledgeable and provided a safe, exciting experience. I would have preferred a longer run than we had(had to drag raft back up river to make additional runs) but we enjoyed the experience. The trip included lunch and a sauna experience which we declined. We expected rafting, not eating or sauna.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Sauna by the Lake and Dinner

Pyhä

Nice sauna experience and good food, not great. Guide was very accommodating and provided a wonderful, personal experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From the Deepest Gorge to the Highest Peak Hike

Pyhä

Amazing experience. Guide was knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy the experience. Weather wasn’t great, but it was not a problem. This was a great hike!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Evening Canoe Trip

Pyhä

Again, not a lot to do at 6:00 when it is dark at 7:30. Weather wasn’t great, but that wasn’t the issue. We should have gone at 4:00 and perhaps canoed on a river or something more fun than a lake.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Culture of Eastern Lapland Tour

Pyhä

Not much to hear about. Guide was informative but we wasted our time on this tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour

Tallinn

Guide was ok. Seemed he was reading from a script. His mind was elsewhere.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bogshoe Hiking Tour

Tallinn

Amazing. Wonderful experience and knowledgeable guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helsinki City Walking Tour (2h)

Helsinki

Guide was knowledgeable and quite entertaining. I felt we got a good exposure of the Helsinki City Center and history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Hike in the Archipelago Sea

Helsinki

Not much of a hike. (Less than 2 miles). Guide was knowledgeable and provided as much information as possible. Just not much there to see.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helsinki Sauna Tour

Helsinki

Guide was informative, and fun to be with. Good balance of cycling and sauna time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our ten day trip to Finland was amazing. We had several discussions with Emerson, He took our goals, budget, interests, and physical abilities into consideration as he selected activities for us to complete on this trip. He did a terrific job! The attention to detail and personal service made this trip very special. We will give you feedback about the highlights in Helsinki’s, Levi, and Rovaniemi in terms of our transfers, hotels, and activities.

We spent four nights in Helsinki at the beginning of our trip. The transfers throughout Helsinki were outstanding. The vehicles were beautiful and comfortable and the drivers combined professionalism and friendliness. Hotel Kamp was also outstanding. The room was spacious, comfortable, and quiet. The staff were helpful and friendly, and the included breakfasts were delicious. While we enjoyed all of our city tours, our favorites were in Tallin (Christopher) and Porvoo. When talking to friends, we might suggest they skip the Soumenlinna trip. The trip to the Archipelago Sea (Alex) was a great way to get out of the city and see the beauty of nature close by.

The overnight train to Kolari was interesting. As described, we had our own cabin with two berths and a private bathroom. The cabin was quite small, with a very small window and little stool. We struggled getting into the top berth, but once we were each in our berths, we slept fine. Since we didn’t have seats in the regular compartment and there was no observation car, we spent a lot of time in the dining car when we were not sleeping.

Our transfer to Levi was great and the accommodations there were fantastic - probably our favorite of the entire trip. The Levin Iglut glass igloo was beautifully appointed and had a breathtaking view. The restaurant had a great breakfast, and we enjoyed delicious meals both nights at the hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful. It was a joy to be there. While the conditions were not ideal to see the Nothern Lights, our guide, Jukka, was knowledgeable and worked very hard to find a place where we could experience them through photography.

Our transfer to Rovaniemi was great and our suite at the Arctic Treehouse was beautiful. The restaurant at the hotel was good and the staff were all very helpful. All of our Lapland hikes were outstanding. The guides (Heli, Juno, Suka, and Ustav) were knowledgeable, interesting, and flexible while adjusting to our hiking needs and speeds. The sauna experience was one we will always remember, because we got to authentically experience a Finnish tradition in nature.

The advice to fly back to Helsinki was great. We enjoyed staying at the Hotel Haven. It was not as lavish as Hotel Kamp, but did the trick for our one night stay before heading home. Again, our transfer was on time and incredibly professional.

Our kimkim contact in Finland, Lilla Patricia, did a great job monitoring things while we were there. She checked in with us to see how things were going, served to reschedule a hike, and managed the situation when a tour was cancelled. We would definitely recommend kimkim to friends and will use you in the future. Thank you for a great trip.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Haven

Helsinki

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

Rovaniemi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Levin Iglut Glass Igloos

Kitilä

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Train

Hotel Kamp

Helsinki

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Korouoma Canyon Wilderness Hike

Rovaniemi

It was so fun to see this part of Finland. The hike had a few places that were a little steep, but most of those spots had a rope or something to hold on to. We had a dry, beautiful day. If it was wet or snowy, this could have been slippery, but it was perfect for us. Our guide took many pictures of us along the hike.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Finnish Sauna Experience

Rovaniemi

This was worth the drive. We got to experience a Finnish cabin and wood fired sauna on a lake. The blueberry juice and snacks were appreciated.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pallas National Park Wilderness Adventure

Levi

The hike gave us an opportunity to get above the tree line and enjoy a gorgeous view. The guides took great pictures of us.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aurora Tour by Van

Levi

Our driver did a great job finding a place where we could see the Northing Lights on a night with low activity and clouds. He found a spot with a break in the clouds where we could photograph the Northern Lights and enjoy seeing amazing stars.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Forest Adventure And Cooking In The Nature

Levi

It was our first time foraging, which was delightful. We learned a lot about mushrooms, blueberries, and lingonberries. Cooking the mushrooms on fire by a beautiful river was amazing. The meal our guide prepared was delicious. Definitely one of our favorite experiences.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Hike in the Archipelago Sea

Helsinki

The hike was a comfortable speed, and our guide, Alex, taught us about the biology and geology of the location. The view was outstanding. We had our first sea buckthorn juice on this hike. So fun making a fire and having sausages, potato salad, and a pastry .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Porvoo Private Day Tour

Helsinki

Our guide gave us great information both on the ride to Porvoo and during our walking tour. He pointed out historic places and suggested places to shop. The town was charming.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tallinn Day Trip

Helsinki

We enjoyed the ferry ride. Our guide, Christopher, gave us great insight into the history and current state of Estonia.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Helsinki and Suomenlinna Private Tour

Helsinki

Our Helsinki city tour was great. Our guide, Jolantha, gave us a great overview of the city and good suggestions of places to see on our own. The library was a great place to see on our own. The Suomenlinna part of the tour was just OK. We walked through the island but didn’t see anything up close. The cobblestones were hard to walk on.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

An Amazing Experience for Anyone and Everyone
We had such an amazing time taking in the culture around Finland. The entire trip was like a fantasy that I wish did not have to come to an end. Some of the major highlights were the attentiveness and service that were provided by Emerson and the tour guides. I loved learning about the culture, and everything was always within walking distance. My top favorites would have had to have been the Helsinki Nature Escape: National Park & Smoke Sauna. This was like escaping to a magical forest and living amongst the trees, and experiencing traditional saunas was something that even locals are jealous of, and you feel excitement experiencing the culture. Another highlight was the Unveiling Turku: History, Culture, and Culinary Gems. Another whimsical moment, but walking around the castle ruins and having afternoon tea was such a treat, and everyone we talked to was such a pleasant person who was very friendly and approachable. Highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for a whimsical experience and something a tad different.

Moonika was great. We shared with her via Zoom the kind of experiences we wanted and everything was pre planned and scheduled for us. She checked in with us numerous times while we were on the trip to Inari which made us feel very comfortable and very well taken care of. When we did have questions about the trip, Moonika responded in an extremely timely fashion. I would highly recommend KimKim and we would definitely work with them again.

Hotel Review

Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos

Inari

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right on the lake. We upgraded to a lakefront view.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom is very small. No way to open windows to let in clean air. Private Sauna is awesome though.

Activity Review

Reindeer & Sami Handicraft

Inari

Very authentic experience. So interesting to meet the owner of the farm and to learn about Sami culture.

To Kim Kim & Emerson Siimer
Thank you for your assistance with making our trip memorable and fun, we appreciate from the bottom of our hearts. Overall, we are happy we chose to work with you, especially Emerson. All 11 days of our trip, all planned events, all transfers (except for some hiccups with one or two), all day trips, all the guides we had, all transportation arrangements were top class, that ensured we had a relaxed, stress-free trip. We thoroughly enjoyed every place we visited, every tour we did and every guide we got for the tours. Yana, Camille, Martin, Lena, Nadia, Moonika, Jorge, Stassi (I am forgetting the Guide we had for Porvoo, apologies) and above all, Emerson who stayed on top of all the activities, always be there for us, patiently answering all our questions and concerns and together, you all have made it a wonderful trip and we appreciate all of you.

All our guides are super knowledgeable, very friendly, greatly accommodating and very cooperating – we loved them all. Please give our gratitude and love to all. Some of the adjustments/changes you had to make to meet our needs & wants are simply outstanding, like taking us to several lighthouses in Tallinn and for arranging an internal tour of the lighthouse was amazing. We truly appreciate it.

We loved Tallinn, Rovaniemi, Porvoo, Helsinki & Turku (in that order), every food we tried and every day of our 11-day trip and all the new experiences during this trip and the fond memories we created. We simply wish it lasted longer. We can’t wait to work with you on our next trip in 2026.

Take care.

Truly

APMN
September 10, 2025

Hotel Reviews

Cru Hotel

Tallinn

Oh My God, the ups and downs, narrow walkways, twists and turns - an unbelievable experience. This place is a 'Character' and we loved the hotel and the experience it offered.

Authenticity & Character

Oh My God, the ups and downs, narrow walkways, twists and turns - an unbelievable experience. This place is a 'Character' and we loved the hotel and the experience it offered.

Location

perfectly located right in the middle of activities, attractions, restaurants, shops - we loved coming in and going out even at nights.

Staff

Friendly staff, the breakfast options were underwhelming. Could have been better. Actually, we skipped breakfast and had outside for a change and better options, to be honest

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very neatly arranged, well maintinaied, pleasant

Home Hotel Jugend

Helsinki

A fortress like look and feel but offered plenty of modern features and comfort. Breakfast was amazing. proximity to major attractions was a big plus.

Authenticity & Character

A fortress like look and feel but offered plenty of modern features and comfort.

Location

right in the center with major attractions within walkable distance.

Staff

very helpful and courteous staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

perfectly arranged, neat, clean and amazing hotel.

Overnight Train

A first-of-a-kind experience for us. The train ride with glowing sun along for the ride throught the night was so much fun. Dining car provided excellent food options. Rooms are small but very aptly set up especially the shower, wow.

Authenticity & Character

A fun train ride

Location

NA

Staff

The conductor was so nice and helped us catch the train when we arrived late, sincerely appreciate it.

Cleanliness & Comfort

beautiful

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Excellent hotel with truly amazing morning breakfast and out of the world dinner menu, loved the stay and the food. Staff is very courteous and helpful

Authenticity & Character

beautiful interior, good lobby, great dining options

Location

Perfectly located, walkable to the center and across from our travel agency. good restaurants a few feet away.

Staff

Thank you for a great service

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and decent and well decorated

Activity Reviews

Finnish Sauna Experience

Rovaniemi

I was afraid of Hot Sauna, sweating, etc. So skeptical about this but Emerson convinced me to give it a try and I did and totally blown away by the experience. Thanks to Emerson and the amazing guide Martin, I truly enjoyed this unique Sauna experience in a natural surrounding for a truly Finnish Sauna Experience. Totally awesome.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Martin was a cool and energetic guide who made the whole experience amazing.

Transport

the ride, the cabins, the surrounding, the lake and Sauna - a nice thrilling package

Reindeer Farm and Ranua Wildlife Park Visit

Rovaniemi

A thrilling, dream-come-true experience meeting the reindeers, so many of them, Again, it was raining. The experience could have been a lot better if it was a sunny day, we wish. We still enjoyed the trip

Quality of Experience

Visiting Reindeers, feeding them was a great experience., hearing about Reindeers, their behavior, farming, etc. was like listening to a cool story. Thanks to all.

Food

The buffer was yummy, unexpected and enjoyable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Camille was very knowledgeable and friendly. She helped make the rainy day experience a better-than expected experience. The way she was explaining made it a cool experience, thanks Camille

Transport

Rainy day made it a little dampening but Camille helped make it a better experience.

Midnight Sun Photography Tour

Rovaniemi

Thrilling experience, fun hike and a very active and cool guide Yana. It was a cloudy day and so we missed the 'sun' but the experience was still worth it. To be on top of the hill at midnight was fun, could have been a lot more thrilling with the sun setting and rising. But, we still loved it. Yana made it so much more fun.

Quality of Experience

Thrilling hike and an unusual experience, especially on our first night in Rovaniemi

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Yana was very friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating and she with her camera was a big bonus since I am a photographer too. Thanks Yana

Transport

Good ride

All Guides in Helsinki and Estonia perfect. Enjoyed the hotel but stuffy! Breaky and dinner appreciated. Porvoo was lovely with Maria. Turku hotel amazing…. We were better on our own there. Guide not the best. Train fun and we did sleep! Enjoyed the museums in Turku. Art gallery special . Rovaniemi, hotel excellent with friendly staff, room abit dramatic though! Our tours 100% wonderful. Saw lights thanks to Ryan and cannon hike guide a very nice person, Martin. Santa land very commercial. Reindeers farm was an unexpected highlight! A very impressive young man. Excellent and comfortable trip to Inari. There the trip went down hill. Resort atmosphere quite cold, dull staff and accomodation quite uncomfortable. Too hot! Highlight was the beauty of the lake and fabulous museum. Lilla is a delight and meeting her was a bonus. Well done Kim Kim

Hotel Reviews

Comfort Hotel Helsinki Airport

Vantaa

We were in the room for four hours….quiet and a comfy bed

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos

Inari

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

Authenticity & Character

But over the top in decorations

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overnight Train

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lots of fun

Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone

Turku

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gorgeous bed

Home Hotel Jugend

Helsinki

Bit stuffy again

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Northern Lights Tour with Professional Photos

Finland

Nice guy but no luck….

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Reindeer Farm Visit (No Safari)

Rovaniemi

A very intelligent enthusiastic young man we wish him well in the future

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Finland

Ryan brilliant

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korouoma Canyon & Auttiköngäs Waterfalls Adventure

Rovaniemi

Special time in our holiday

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Turku City Walking Tour

Turku

Quality of Experience

Porvoo Private Day Tour

Helsinki

Maria delightful

Quality of Experience

Transport

Tallinn Day Trip

Helsinki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helsinki and Suomenlinna Private Tour

Helsinki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a great trip. My granddaughters and I were constantly amazed by the first class hotels and the outstanding guides. We enjoyed all the activities, from learning about the history and culture to the hike and bike ride in Lapland. The guides were uniformly well informed, personable, spoke excellent English, willing to answer any question. Finland and Estonia are beautiful countries with impressive infrastructure and good examples of well-functioning democracies. The sauna in the country and campfire with Sami and Finish legends was a great capstone for a superb trip. Lilla was very responsive and helpful as our overall trip guide. Thank you. David Entin

Hotel Reviews

Hobo Hotel

Helsinki

Hobo Hotel in Helsinki exceeded our expectations and was one of the best hotels we've ever stayed in. Everything about it was top-notch, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. The breakfast offered was particularly incredible, with a wide range of healthy options that my granddaughters loved.

Cru Hotel

Tallinn

The hotel in Old Town, Tallinn was quite unique. The building had historical charm, and our room was surprisingly spacious. An unexpected perk was having a sauna in the bathroom, which was a delightful surprise. The overall experience at this hotel was pleasant, despite its older feel.

Activity Review

Cultural e-fatbike Tour

Rovaniemi

The Cultural e-fatbike Tour in Lapland was a bit underwhelming. While the concept of riding fat-tire electric bikes was exciting, the guide's English was not as strong as others we experienced. Also, since it's harder to communicate during a bike ride, we couldn't engage as much as we'd like. Nevertheless, the guide proved to be wonderful during a subsequent hiking tour, which reassured us of his abilities.

I reached out to Kimkim to get assistance with designing a disc-golf focused trip to Finland in the Summer of 2025. I had the pleasure or working with Emerson, who was able to take my idea (start with the Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Tampere/Nokia, then travel Southern Finland playing the best courses in the world) and turn it into a reality. He took the time to understand what exactly it was I wanted to see and do, where and how I wanted to travel, and he put it all together so perfectly! It was the easiest trip I've ever had to plan. Emerson took care of everything, so that all I had to do was step off the plane and follow the itinerary. The accommodations were great and well-located so we had easy access to saunas, nature and local sites, we had good food all along the way, the rental car was perfect, and the recommended (non-disc golf) excursions were always well-worth it. Professional drivers showed up in very nice cars when expected, even a little early. Emerson kept in contact with me by e-mail before and several times during my trip to assure things were going smoothly. I felt extra safe and secure in the knowledge there was someone I could call any time of the day or night during my trip. Thank you Kimkim and Emerson for making this trip a dream-come-true!